Some Little Keyboard Helpers

Press [Tab] key to select objects in line with the object you pick.

When object is selected [Alt] + [Enter] keys takes you to instant properties.

When object is selected [Ctrl] + [Enter] keys takes you to type properties.

[Ctrl] + [Left Arrow] will select previous objects.

Revit Pen Settings

I have been working through our company pen settings over the past couple of weeks. I had plenty of feedback from co works about the pen weights. In the process of trying to tweak the different settings, I found through research (AUGI and Discussion Groups) that pens 1 and 2 (model) and pen 1 (drafting) effect majority of the hatching or fill patterns.

Model Pen 1 drives the model hatch pen weight. Model Pen 2 drives the ceiling grid pattern pen weight. All fill regions are assigned to Annotation Pen 1 by default.

To give myself more flexibility in our pens I have decided to move all objects off of pens 1 and 2. Seems a little bold, but I believe it will give us more flexibility in the long run.

Revit 2011 Release

Just in case you did not see it yet. Revit 2011 (all flavors) have been released.

Second I just saw the posting on the subscription center that the Revit Extensions are available. They are very limited at this time, unless you are using Revit Structures (seems to be allot of Robot integration directly into Revit). Main one is the Shared Parameter Converter it provides the ability to change family parameters to Revit shared parameters. A second functionality is to add or replace shared parameters to one or multiple Revit families file in one process.

Finally several of the main stay tools are out for Revit 2011 products; Globe Link, Batch Print, Space Naming Utility, Autodesk Revit DB Link 2011, Worksharing Monitor and Autodesk Revit Model Review 2011.

Improved UI

Many needed improvements have been made to the Revit UI.

Quick Access Toolbar Modifications
1. Single QAT in both project and family editor.
2. Increase number of default commands out of the box, not only that, but they are sensible.
3. Customization of the QAT, including moving items and adding separators.

Side Browsers (Project Browser, Systems)
1. You can now stack Browsers, like Project and System Browsers.
2. New Properties Browser has been added, this allows users to level their property dialog box up when working in a project, verses opening and closing.

Modify Tools
1. Yes, the modification tools have been moved to the left end of the Ribbon to maintain consistent tool locations.
2. The modify Tab now includes object specific commands (move, copy, array, etc.)
3. Modify commands are now available prior to selection or after, like AutoCAD.
4. Type Selector has been moved to Property Browser.
5. When placing objects, the contextual tab (like Place Wall) has been merged with the Modify tab. This will greatly reduce the need to bounce from one tab to another.
6. Several tool icons have been updated for easier access and readability.

Revit 2011 Text Updates

Leader Enhancements

Something we have all been asking for, the ability to specify the location of the leader from our text. Many of us have CAD standards that specify 1st line, center or last line of text. Revit only gave us the ability for the top line of text. Revit now has the ability to specify four new locations (Middle Left and Right and Bottom Left and Right).

Text Borders

New option in the text type properties allow you to show the text border. In type properties lock for a check box parameter called show border. This will box out the notes.
Also you can now control the margins of the text box (which we can also consider the masking region for Opaque option). This setting is found in the text type properties also, called Leader/Border Offset.

AUGI World March/April

ATTENTION
My boy, Felix, was publish this month in AUGI World. Please skip past all the other pages and go to page 26. Felix Gonzalez, with Hunton Brady, has a great article about schedules in Revit. If anyone knows something about schedules it is Felix. He has created some of the most integrated schedules in Revit Architecture I have seen. Great job Felix.

AUGI is pleased to announce that the latest issue of AUGIWorld is now available for download.

Click Here to download the AUGIWorld March/April 2010 issue

PS. After you read Felix’s article, feel free to flip back and catch another couple of articles on Revit.

Bentley / Revit Integration

There are several new plugins by Bentley that attempt to address interoperability with Revit.

First is the iModel Plugin that translates a Revit model to Microstation V8i. You can read more about it and download here http://communities.bentley.com/UserGroups/GroupDetail.aspx?GroupID=80

Seciond is a Revit plugin for the Bentley Integrated Structural Model (ISM). You can read more about it and download here http://www.bentley.com/en-US/Promo/ISM/downloads.htm#revit

I hope this provides a better means to work between Revit and Bentley products without using IFC or Navisworks and I'd like to know if anybody is having any success with this workflow.

Revit Structure 2010 and RAM Steel Link

If you have been looking for the RAM Steel/Revit Link for the 2010 products, you have probably been getting the same story. "It is being test it will be ready soon", "Within the next month" and so on. Well, they still have not released one "the latest word is March of 2010". Just in time for the Revit 2011 releases.

Well I have found out that RAM does have a prerelease version of the Revit 2010 link. You must contact RAM "Bentley" directly. It is a little tricky, 1st the basic install then replacing some files. Also, there is still no 64bit option for RAM or its Link.

Temporary Dimensions

I have seen this idea posted or mentioned in various areas. I thought I might throw it out there again, mainly because I just reset it on my new machine.

Temporary dimensions have a standard text size that you cannot change in the program. You can however modify the Revit.ini file to change the size. Browse to the file under C:\Program Files\Your Version/Flavor\Program and open it in Notepad or something. Search for the [Graphics] section of the file and add just the second line below or at the very end of the file add all of the following:

[Graphics]
TempDimFontSizeInPoints = X

X represents the size the text. The default size of temporary dimensions is 8.

Adding Symbols in Text Box

I am working with our group to start creating details in Revit. We came across the issue of adding symbols in our text. We started by just typing abbreviations, this added to our normal note size. I did some research and found Revit supports Windows Character Mapping.
Here are the simple steps to do this;
1. Ensure Number Lock is on
2. Hold the [ALT] Key
3. While Holding [ALT] type in code suing Number Key Pad (Number pad on right side of keyboard
4. Release [ALT] Key
If I would like to add the degree symbol in a note all I have to do is Hold the ALT key and type in character map code "0176".

*You must use the number pad, traditional numbers above the letters will not work.

Some of the Standard Codes:
0176 Degree
0248 Diameter
0178 Squared
0179 Cubed
0177 Plus-Minus
0174 Registered
0169 Copy Right

**Laptop users can not use the numbers on the traditional keyboard above the letters. Majority of laptops have a number pad overlaid into the keyboard area that you can utilize with the number lock key and the same method.
***You can also utilize this same method in AutoCAD and other Windows Programs.

Converting AutoCAD Details to Revit

I have been working on a process to quickly and efficiently convert our detail libraries to Revit. I have come across several ideas and methods. This concept is based on bring AutoCAD entities into Revit to become Revit based line work and text.


1. Clean up AutoCAD files
2. Get rid of hatch patterns, hatches bring allot of extra junk into Revit
3. Explode everything, blocks from AutoCAD become junk in Revit.
4. Ensure all your multiple lines of text are MText (use Express Tools to convert)
5. Create Line Styles in Revit for Company Standards (pen weights, line tpyes, colors)
6. Use AutoCAD's Layer Translator command to convert Layers (If the AutoCAD layer is an "Exact" match to a line style in Revit it will not create an extra Line Style)
7. Purge file, till clean. Also try -PU, and option R to purge Registered Apps.
8. Import file to Revit (Not your project, a junk file), explode (full) the import.
9. Use Window Select and Filter to clean up miscellaneous objects
10. Add Regions (Hatches) and Leaders to Text as needed.
11. Copy Detail from the Junk Project to your project or to a detail library (this will leave behind all the extra AutoCAD junk in the Junk file.)

I started working on interiors in Revit also. I ran into several little things as I worked through my first attempts. Some key points

1. Don't just render a high quality image right away. Takes time and you don't have any idea of your lighting. I start with a quick draft to check lighting.
2. If doing a render with sun and artificial light, you may need to tweak the light out put of interior lights or adjust render exposure. I also found changing the sun angle from 35 deg to 70 deg.
3. Play with your materials, you can adjust settings for all materials, you are not stuck with out of the box materials.

First Try at Rending in Revit

Here are the results of my first tries at Rendering in Revit. I have been busy work in a different areas in Revit, but I have not spent much time on rendering. I found the quality of the images to be pretty good for my first major attempt.
I have noticed a few items. First the Exterior Rendering is easy. Make sure you add some ground below it, looks funny floating in mid air. I did this by creating a separate project for the site. I created a Topo Surface and divided it to create the parking area and grass. I also created a floor for the concrete walks and added some plantings.

This image is a dark, but shows the concept. I added exterior lighting and created a night rendering. I had to adjust my materials on the CAD EXPO sign at the top of the building. I adjusted the materials and adjusted an area for the material called self-Illumination. I would also adjust the exposure settings the next time I render the view. That would allow me to adjust the exposure.

Up Date: I have adjusted the exposure setting and rendered it again.

Revit Building Construction Types

I have had several people ask about this. How does Revit MEP under stand construction of the building and R values. Let's first say "there is no connection between the MEP Space and the Architectural Objects." We are required to specify this information.

What are you saying?

Revit model requires us to tell it what the construction type of the; floors, roofs, walls and glass. This data is added in the Project Information under Energy Data. You will find Building Construction click the "edit" button, that will open a dialog box that will list different construction objects. You will then choose from the drop down lists what primary Construction Type is for the objects. This will set the defualt for all the MEP spaces. You can over ride the construction types per space as needed.

I can't find the Construction Type I need.

Then you will need to add it to Revit. It is very simple to modify the constructions list, as well as add new wall types. Under C:\Program Files\Revit MEP 2010\Program\Constructions.xml you can open the constructions file with wordpad, and using the same format as the pre-defined ones add your specific wall, roof and window types. Make sure to keep the syntax the same, as well as keep the ID unique. Here is the xml format:Important things to note are, make sure you place your new construction under teh correct type, for example c for ceiling, w for wall etc. As I mentioned before also make sure to name the id unique. After you make the changes simply restart Revit and tehy should appear in the construction types.

I hope this will give you some additional in site and help.

Standing Seam Metal Roof

Here is a trick to create the look of a true standing seam metal roof in Revit.

First start by creating the roof with generic roofs that are thin I use 2". I was then able to duplicate each of my roofs in their same locations. I changed one of my roof types to "slopped glazing", this is a roof type that is a curtain system.

Second I set up our roof types. Start with the easy one, customized the type "Generic 2 inch" to "Seams" with correct material settings for the metal roofing (we will come back to this roof later). Then "Sloped Glazing" to "Metal Roof", this one will take some modifications. You will need to created a curtain panel that is 1/4" thick to use for the main field of the metal roof. We will also need a profile shape that is the size and shape of our standard field seams. I used a simple rectangle with type parameters to adjust width and height as needed. Then go to your new "Metal Roof" type and edit the type properties. Set Grid 1 Pattern to spacing for seams. Set Grid Mullions - Interior Type to Metal Roof Seam Profile. (You may have to adjust the profile insertion location up and down to have it site on top of the roof.

Now you should have two roofs with in each other. The final touch was to use "Opening by Face" tool on each of the roof faces or the Seams roof "the basic roof" to cut out for the Metal roof to show through. This will give you both the seamed in-field and the ridge/hip/valley pieces.

Tip: Monday means make a new local file.
On Friday afternoon the BIM manager will have done the entire cleanup necessary for CentralFile maintenance. After going through all these maintenance methods or if it is just Mondaymorning make a new Local File. By creating a new Local File every Monday morning the userwill not bring any old problems back into the Central File.

*Now I have created a Central File, where do I go next?

You do not actually work in the Central File, you work on local copies. Local copies are created by copying or saving the project to a your workstation. When this happens a data link is created to help check and reference data between the local copy and the central file.

*What is the best way to create a local copy and is there any suggestions?

The two main ways are to save as and copying while in windows explorer. Copying with window explorer is my preferred option. First, it takes less time, you do not have to open it and and then re-save. Second, most people open the Central file and forget to save it to their local workstation.

*Is there some best practices for file name to reduce confusion.

Yes, always add in all caps CENTRAL to the end of the central file when naming and as users create there local copies they should remove CENTRAL and add there user name in all caps.

Revit Workshare Post 2

As I discussed in the previous post workshare in Revit is more of a process than a command.

This first step in this process is to enable Worksets. You do this by going to the File Pulldown Menu and selecting Worksets. This will bring up a dialog box for Worksharing. You will see that all levels and grids will go to one workset and all other items go to another workset. Note: This step can not be undone. Then you will have the Workset dialog box come up for creating additional worksets.

So, what does this mean? We need to start by understanding worksets. Worksets are collections of elements, such as walls, windows doors or even levels. Okay, why? Originally the concept that Revit used to allow multiple users to work on a project at the same time was through allowing users to check out and work on one workset at a time, which prevented other users from using those items (preventing confilicting objects). This concept as evolved in the programing to become more automated and can now be done in what we refer to a "Borrow As You Go." With that in mind we can leverage worksets still for other means. Worksets can be used to subdivide the project in to managable pieces. Example, when working with a 3D exterior we would like to turn off the interior elements, this is where we could divide the elements into two worksets for interiors and exteriors.

By grouping elements into related worksets we can find easier ways to manage the project.
1. Checking out a workset(s) due to major design change can prevent and signal other users that changes are being made on a larger scale and may effect what they are about to work on.
2. Turning off worksets that are not needed. This is can greatly improve system performance.
3. Change visibility of categories from one workset to another.
4. Checking out a workset to work on that area outside the office and not need to communicate to the central file on the server.

These are just examples of the areas that can be managed by using worksets.

What worksets did I need to create? This varies greatly between project sizes, number of users in the project and the number of disciplines in the project.

Key ideas is to break down the project into related areas "not related elements that is what categories do." Take a hotel project for example;
Exterior - for all exterior elements
Building Core - for major elements spanning multiple floors; stair and elevator shafts
Lobby - elements making up the main lobby and store ares
Structural - for structural columns and beams

Revit Workshare, Post 1

I have noticed Worksharing is an area that many people are looking for information on in Revit. I have decided to do a series of post to revolve around worksharing, in Revit.

First we need to understand the need or concept of worksharing. Revit project files typically consist of an entire plan set and model for a particular discipline. Instead of breaking the drawings down into multiple files we work with one file. Just like many other softwares this can be an issue when multiple people need to access the file and make changes simultaneously. Revit developed the Workshare concept to resolve this issue.

I have had several people ask me where do I find the command workshare. Workshare is not a command in Revit it is process. Here is a basic outline of the process;

1. The process of work share starts from a basic Revit Project file.
2. You enable or create worksets.
3. Finally save the file, this will create a central file, workshare is setup
4. Loacl copies can be made at this time.

At this point workshare is setup and ready go. I want to look at this process a little more indepth on my next post.

Door Family with Jambs

I have had several request for a door family that has jambs included in the rough opening. This is something Revit does not have out of the box. It is made for walls that are either concrete or block construction that we need to be able to dimension to the door rough opening. So, I have put together a basic door to get you started with. Select link at bottom of post to download.

It is basically a single hung flush door. The Jamb and door together make up the open size. In the type settings you can change door height and width along with jamb depth (all three sides) jamb width for sides and jamb width for head jamb. Under the instance or Element you can change the door inset (this controls the offset of the door from wall face on the non-swing side. The rough opening also automatically reports the correct width and height by adding Jambs and width/height.

Single-Flush-Jamb-RR.rfa